Tension hydrothorax due to ventriculopleural shunting.
Tension hydrothorax is rare, with few cases reported in the literature dating back to the late 1960s. We report a case of tension hydrothorax in a patient with a ventriculopleural shunt who improved dramatically after thoracentesis. The discussion includes a brief review of ventriculopleural shunts and pleural physiology.
Beach
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Department of Emergency Medicine, San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234, USA.
Manthey
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D000328:Adult; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000601:surgery; D006876:Hydrothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011312:Pressure; D011859:Radiography; D013907:Thoracostomy / Q000379:methods; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000009:adverse effects*